Thursday, March 19, 2009

It has been over 6 months since I have painted because of my maternity leave. I am so excited to be back. And what a great theme to paint! I have always loved the game Candy Land. I picked up the game to use as inspiration for the mural and now my own children are enjoying it. What a classic!

Here is the start of the mural:

I painted this mural in a playroom for 2 sisters (ages 3 & 6). They got a big kick out of watching me paint. Everytime I added something new, the 3 yr old would run out and tell her mother all about it. I get so much happiness and pride out of being able to make children happy when I paint. A mural is something that can last for many years.

I suggested to the mother to only have the background painted and none of the actual Candyland characters, that way the mural could last a lot longer as the girls grow up. I took many different elements from the game such as the castles, the lollipop flowers, and the paths made out of candy. But I created something unique. I try to never do anything exactly the same as a picture that the client gives me. It is so important to me to make it special and to add my own ideas.

My client was very pleased with the outcome. So, for my first painting job in quite a long time....It was a great success!

About the Artist

My name is Dawn Papandrea-Khan. I am an artist and decorative painter out of Putnam County & Westchester County, NY. I am also a wife and mother of 2 small children (ages 2 & 3). I have to say that I am definitely living my dream. I have always loved to paint and draw. I grew up in a family of artists, so I had many opportunities to watch others be creative. This has been such a wonderful outlet for me to express my passion for art and design.

I started out teaching Elementary Art Classes for the Yorktown Christian Academy2nd through 8th graders for over 3 years. I taught Decorative Painting Classes for the Putnam Arts Council located in Mahopac, NY. I also studied and worked with listed artist and muralist Nicholas Berger.

I started Surfaces with Paint in 2001. Since then, I have worked closely with local homeowners and business owners alike in designing the spaces that best suit their wants and needs. What is different about hiring me as opposed to another painting company, is that I am not just a painter, I am an artist. I do all the work myself from start to finish. I am a very detailed and particular person. I am a perfectionist and I do not settle for less than that. My top priority is to make the customer as happy as they can be.